I Have a Sore on My Tongue That Won't Go Away β Should I Worry?
A sore on your tongue that lingers can be troubling. Here's what you need to know.
Most tongue sores heal within 10β14 days. Common causes include:
- Canker sores β painful white or yellow ulcers that heal on their own
- Bitten tongue β accidental injury that needs time to heal
- Irritation from foods β spicy, acidic, or sharp foods can cause temporary sores
- Vitamin deficiencies β low iron, B12, or folate can cause recurring tongue sores
A sore on the side of the tongue that does not heal after 2β3 weeks is the single most concerning location in the mouth for oral cancer. This does not mean it is cancer β but it absolutely needs to be checked.
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Sore that hurts (pain is actually reassuring β cancerous sores are often painless early on)
- Clearly has a white or yellow center with red border (typical ulcer)
- Healed or healing within 2 weeks
- Comes and goes, especially during stress
- Worth having checked:
- Sore that has not healed after 2 weeks
- Painless sore that you just noticed
- Hard or raised edge around the sore
- Bleeding when touched
- Numbness in the tongue
- Difficulty moving your tongue
When to See a Doctor
- See a dentist or ENT doctor if:
- The sore has lasted more than 2 weeks without healing
- The sore is on the side or underneath your tongue
- You feel a lump in your neck
- You have trouble swallowing or moving your tongue
- You smoke, drink heavily, or have HPV